German fair on packaging machinery

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, NOV. 18. The proliferation of self-service supermarkets in India catering to a new generation of working couples and brand-conscious consumers, increasing penetration of the rural markets by manufacturers in the organised sector and new statutory stipulations on packaging and packaging information are likely to create a rising demand for packaging material and machinery in the country.

It is in this context that the next triennial Interpack 2002 at Dusseldorf, Germany, from April 24-30, 2002, assumes importance for manufacturers and buyers, though growth expectations on the part of European packaging machinery manufacturers with respect to the Indian market over the last few years have not been met and Indian imports have remained stable around $50 million.

Interpack, considered the world's leading fair for packaging machinery, packaging material and confectionery machinery, according to Mr. Erhard Rustler, Vice-Chairman of the Interpack 2002 Trade Fair Committee, ``dictates the innovation cycle in the industry''.

Though the latest innovations in the sectors concerned would remain a secret till they are unveiled by respective manufacturers at the fair, Mr. Rustler, in his presentation at a meeting organised by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce (IGCC) here recently, pointed out some broad emerging trends in the packaging industry.

These include use of modern servo processes in packaging machinery to optimise moving and forming processes and reduce mechanical strain on the barrier layers, improved application of UV and plasma processes as an alternative to chemical sterilisation of packaging materials, adoption of labelling technology to provide more information and further development of ``active packaging'' to maintain the quality of the packaged product through absorption of substances that promote spoilage, emission of preservatives and inclusion of moisture control functions in packaging.

Specialised packaging for the biotechnology-based pharmaceuticals industry was another emerging area. Cleanability of machinery before every change of formulation was becoming a major criterion in the confectionery sector.

Mr. Rustler said German production of packaging machinery was the second largest after the U.S., but in exports Germany was in the lead with a 29 per cent of the global export market.

Mr. Norbert Schmidt, Managing Director, CIDEX Trade Fairs Pvt Ltd., representing Messe Dusseldorf GmbH, said a total of 2,500 suppliers, 60 per cent of them from outside Germany, would be exhibiting at Interpack 2002.

The leading foreign exhibitor nations would, as in the previous events, be Italy, Great Britain, France, the Netherlands and the U.S.

The new edition of the fair would have an additional 260,000 sq. ft. compared to the 1999 fair thanks to the construction of two new halls.

Detailed information on the fair can be accessed from www.interpack.de and www.interpack.com and facility is also available for on-line registration of visitors.

INDPACK: Meanwhile, Messe Dusseldorf has announced that space has been fully booked for the Indian version of Interpack, INDPACK 2002 International, to be held at the Chennai Trade Centre from February 9 to 12, 2002.

Simultaneously, International FoodTec India will be organised by KolnMesse International GmbH jointly with its Indian subsidiary, CIDEX.

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Section  : Business
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